Flex fuel field generator

ABSTRACT

A generator system includes (i) an internal combustion engine, (ii) an exhaust gas outlet, connected to the internal combustion engine, for venting exhaust gasses, and (iii) a condenser, connected to the exhaust gas outlet, for condensing water from exhaust gasses.

BACKGROUND

Portable generators for producing electricity are well known and havebeen commercially available for many years. These devices typicallyinclude an internal combustion engine, are designed to generatesufficient electrical power to run one or more common household orcommercial electronic devices, and typically use gasoline as fuel. Theyare adapted to provide alternating current (AC) electricity, through astandard two-prong or three-prong plug receiver, at 120 or 240 volts,and at 50 to 60 Hz; also common is an additional 12 volt DC power portfor charging lead acid batteries. Many of these devices are not fuelinjected and include a carburetor and a manual choke. The carburetormixes the fuel with air before it enters the cylinder. When the engineis first started (cold start), the choke is pulled out (air restricting)to minimize the amount of air mixed with the fuel, so that the cold fuelwill combust properly; when the engine warms, the choke is pushed in(air non-restricting) so that the correct amount of air is mixed withfuel for proper combustion at the steady state operating temperature.

Some of the smallest commercially available portable generators includethe YAMAHA Inverter EF1000iS and the HONDA EU1000i. The capacity of thefuel tanks in these types of devices is about 0.6 gallons of gasoline,allowing operation at the maximum load of around 1000 W of 4 to 6 hours,or at ¼ load for 8 to 12 hours. These generators produce less noise thanlarger models, having a typical sound output of 47 to 59 dB. Thesedevices include an internal combustion engine using gasoline fuel, sothey necessarily generate carbon monoxide (CO), and do not come equippedwith a catalytic converter or CO safety shut down features. Thus themanufactures strongly discourage indoor use because of the danger ofcarbon monoxide poisoning to humans and animals. Furthermore, theexhaust gases are hot and all metal parts of the device which come intocontact with the exhaust gasses also become dangerously hot.

There has been a proliferation of small portable electronic devices inrecent years, most of which include small rechargeable batteries.Examples include laptop computers, mobile telephone, personal digitalassistants, portable digital cameras and global positioning systems. Therechargeable batteries are most commonly lithium ion batteries, althoughother varieties are available. The small portable electronic devicestypically include a removable power cord with a standard two-prong orthree-prong plug, or a universal serial bus (USB) plug, for plugginginto a corresponding plug receiver, which allows for recharging therechargeable batteries. Also commonly available are removable powercords with a standard cigarette lighter plug, for recharging therechargeable batteries using a cigarette lighter plug receiver in anautomobile or other vehicle.

For field operation by consumers of portable appliances such astelevisions and radios, and small portable electronic devices andrecharging of the batteries therein, portable generators have come intocommon use. Although an automobile is used to get to the field locationfor camping or tailgating, and is therefore available for rechargingbatteries or for providing DC power, unless the engine and alternatorare running there is a risk of draining the automobile battery, andcompromising the operation or starting capacity of the automobile. Ifthe engine is running, over extended periods of time, there will besubstantial use of the gasoline from the fuel storage tank, far inexcess of the amount of electricity needed to recharge batteries forsmall portable electronic devices. This results because the rechargeablebatteries require a specific amount of time and power to recharge, andeven when just idling the vehicle engine consumes far more fuel thannecessary to recharge the batteries. The advantage of using a portablegenerator is the much greater efficiency for generating the amount ofelectricity needed to recharge batteries, over the period of timenecessary for recharging, as compared to an automobile engine. In otherwords, there is a superior match between the power generation and thepower consumption. Gasoline for the generator is readily available atretail gasoline refueling stations.

Often, remote field location operations are staged, first setting up abase camp, next a remote camp, and lastly individuals on foot or withonly a single vehicle are sent even farther afield. Remote fieldlocation operations are therefore required to carry all supplies,especially consumable supplies, which will be needed. Not only is thetotal amount of supplies often minimized to reduce cost and weight, butthe variety of supplies is also minimized, to reduce logistical costsand complexity in transporting materials to, and resupplying, the basecamp.

To get to remote field locations, such as those in wilderness areas faraway from highways, vehicles which use diesel fuel, rather than gasolineare commonly used. The supplies carried to such remote field locationsonly include diesel fuel, not gasoline, for the vehicles. In thesecases, recharging of batteries is carried out using power generated bythe vehicle, keeping the vehicle engine running while recharging thebatteries or from a large 2-10 kW diesel generator carried by thevehicle. As noted above, a vehicle engine and alternator is especiallyinefficient for recharging small batteries. Furthermore, in these remotefield locations, the noise generated by the vehicles engine or dieselgenerator can be especially undesirable, considering the extended periodof time needed for recharging batteries. Lastly, unless constantlymonitored the vehicle engine or diesel generator will continue runningeven if the batteries have completed recharging, continuing theconsumption of diesel fuel until human intervention or until all of thefuel is consumed. Under these circumstances, the use of diesel fuel anda generator or vehicle engine vehicle alternator is particularlyinefficient for recharging small batteries.

To address this inefficient use of diesel fuel in remote field locationoperations, other energy sources have been used, but each suffers fromdrawbacks. Solar power units are available, but they tend to be largeand require significant set up time to spread out the solar cells forsufficient energy generation. Furthermore, sun light is only availableduring the day, and unpredictable cloud cover can make the availabilityof solar power unreliable and intermittent over the time scale of remotefield location operations. Wind power is potentially available night andday, but otherwise can require similarly bulky equipment and can besimilarly unreliable and intermittent. Finally, for some remote fieldlocation operations, such as during extreme weather conditions, it isrequired to keep all supplies and equipment indoors; neither solar powernor wind power is available indoors, and running the engine of a dieselengine indoors is too dangerous due to carbon monoxide accumulation fromthe engine exhaust.

In order to address the needs of remote field location operations forsmall amounts of electrical power over an extended period of time forboth the operation of, and recharging of batteries within, smallportable electronic devices, small portable generators including aninternal combustion engine was considered. However, such devices stillsuffer from many of the disadvantages of using a vehicle engine or largediesel generator. Although less noisy, they nonetheless generatesignificant amounts of noise. Furthermore, indoor operation is alsodangerous due to exhaust gases containing carbon monoxide. Although theuse of fuel over any specific period of time is less, the small portablegenerators still continue to run when recharging of batteries iscompleted unless constantly monitored. A further disadvantage is that anadditional fuel, such as gasoline, is needed since small portablegenerators typically do not use the same fuel as diesel vehicles,complicating the supply logistics by adding to the total amount andvariety of materials.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present invention is a generator system,comprising (i) an internal combustion engine, (ii) an exhaust gasoutlet, connected to the internal combustion engine, for venting exhaustgasses, and (iii) a condenser, connected to the exhaust gas outlet, forcondensing water from exhaust gasses.

In a second aspect, the present invention is a generator system,comprising (1) an internal combustion engine, (2) an exhaust gas outlet,connected to the internal combustion engine, for venting exhaust gasses,(3) a heat exchanger, connected to the exhaust gas outlet, forexchanging heat from exhaust gasses to water, (4) a water tank, (5) awater pump, and (6) hosing, fluidly connecting the heat exchanger, thewater tank and the water pump.

In a third aspect, the present invention is a generator system,comprising (a) an internal combustion engine, (b) an exhaust gas outlet,connected to the internal combustion engine, for venting exhaust gasses,(c) a flexible pipe, connected to the exhaust gas outlet, for directingthe exhaust gasses, (d) optionally, a carbon monoxide sensor, attachedto internal combustion engine, and (e) optionally, a catalyticconverter, for reducing carbon monoxide present in exhaust gasses,connected to the exhaust gas outlet. The pipe has a length of at least 5feet.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention is a method of simultaneouslygenerating electricity and potable water, comprising running a generatorincluding an internal combustion engine, to generate electricity andexhaust gasses, and condensing and collecting water from the exhaustgasses.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention is a method of simultaneouslygenerating electricity and heating water, comprising running a generatorincluding an internal combustion engine, to generate electricity andexhaust gasses, and heating water, with the exhaust gasses, with a heatexchanger.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention is an improved method ofsetting up a remote field location operation, including transportingpersonnel, diesel fuel, portable electronics, rechargeable batteries,water, and food, in a diesel fuel powered vehicle, the improvementcomprising further transporting a generator including an internalcombustion engine and a condenser, and replacing a portion of the waterwith fuel for the generator.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention is an improved method ofoperating a remote field location operation, including rechargingrechargeable batteries with a diesel vehicle engine, the improvementcomprising recharging rechargeable batteries with a generator includingan internal combustion engine. The generator operates with rubbingalcohol as fuel, and the rubbing alcohol is supplied in bottles, eachbottle containing a unit measure of rubbing alcohol.

In an eighth aspect, the present invention is a method of generatingelectricity with a gasoline or propane generator having a choke,comprising operating the generator with a fuel consisting essentially ofan alcohol, wherein the fuel does not comprise gasoline.

DEFINITIONS

A gasoline or propane generator is a generator including a carburetorand manual choke, which operates most efficiently using gasoline orpropane, respectively, when the choke is placed in the fully openposition, after the generator has been started.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the amount of time required to heat waterusing waste heat from a generator.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate remote field generators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention makes use of a variety of discoveries whichindividually, in combination, and in a multitude of permutations, adaptand improve a commercial generator including an internal combustionengine for remote field location operations, and furthermore add andextend functionality, including reducing logistical burdens. Adaptationsfor remote field location operations include one or more of thefollowing: (a) a condenser for collecting water from exhaust gasses; (b)a heat exchanger and liquid pump for the continuous generation ofpasteurized or hot water for drinking, bathing or showering; (c) aflexible pipe for transporting exhaust gasses, which may included carbondioxide and carbon monoxide, away from the generator (which may beindoors or in a tent) to a location away from the users (such as outsideor into a body of water); (d) a catalytic converter for reducing carbonmonoxide of the exhaust gasses; (e) a carbon monoxide sensor fordetecting dangerous levels of carbon monoxide; (f) a ventilation fan forimproving ventilation and reducing the local concentration of carbondioxide and/or carbon monoxide; (g) a cover for protecting the generatorfrom rain; (h) a timer for selecting an amount of time for the generatorto run before automatically turning off; (i) a fuel selector foradjusting settings of the generator for optimal operation of any one ofa variety of liquid or gaseous fuels; (j) a bottle adaptor for holdingand dispensing a liquid fuel from a unit measure in a bottle of liquidfuel, such as rubbing alcohol; and (k) a hot swap, for exchanginggaseous fuel tanks without interrupting the supply of gaseous fuel.Furthermore, if the remote field generator is operated with rubbingalcohol, in unit measures, then it may provide the logistical advantageof not requiring the transport or supply of a unique fuel for thegenerator.

Generators including an internal combustion engine produce exhaust whichincludes water vapor, carbon dioxide, partially oxidized fuel and smallamounts of carbon monoxide. A water condenser may be attached to theexhaust, to reduce the thermal signature and condense and capture thewater vapor as liquid water. Since the water is condensed from the gasphase, the water is clean and free of microorganisms, and is thereforepotable, and may be used for drinking or bathing. If small amounts offuel or engine oil contaminate the water, it may be further cleanedthrough the addition of a catalytic converter and/or filtered with anactivated carbon water filter. Since most hydrocarbon fuels and alcoholscontain a ratio of hydrogen to carbon of about 2:1, the weight of waterproduced by condensing water from exhaust gasses of the generator isabout the same as the weight of fuel consumed. Inclusion of a watercondenser therefore provides a dramatic logistic advantage: rather thantransport both fuel and water, only fuel need be transported to theremote field location, since the fuel may be converted to an equalweight of water by using the fuel in the generator.

A water condenser functions as a heat exchanger, by removing heat fromthe exhaust gasses. Once the temperature of the water vapor in theexhaust is below the boiling point of water, the water vapor willcondense to form liquid water. The heat may be transferred to air, ormay be transferred to additional liquid water pumped through thecondenser or heat exchanger. In a remote field location both the hot airand hot water produced by the heat exchanger may be used: hot air may beused to provide heat to maintain the temperature inside a tent orstructure, and hot water may be used for bathing or showering orpasteurizing locally obtained water. In either case, a logisticaladvantage is obtained, since there is no need to carry extra fuel orequipment for heating air, or extra fuel or equipment for heating waterfor cooking, bathing, showering and/or drinking. In the case oftransferring the heat to water, a water pump may be used to circulatethe water through the heat exchanger or condenser, to and from a tank ofwater. Similarly, water produced by the condenser may be stored in atank, and a pump may be used to transport the water to or from the tankor from one tank to another The water pump may be operated though anelectrical port, such as a 12 V DC port, on the generator. The inclusionof a condenser or heat exchanger also provides a substantial reductionin the noise produced by the generator, in effect, acting as a mufflerfor the engine. A typical remote field generator may heat 5 gallons ofwater to 45° C. in about one hour (FIG. 1).

In another configuration, water from an additional water source, such asa well, river or tank, could be passed through the heat exchanger at arate slow enough to achieve a specific temperature upon exiting the heatexchanger, for example at 90° C. This would avoid the need to completelyheat a tank of water, greatly reducing the time need to heat a smallamount of water to a desired temperature, for example for showering,cooking, or simply to pasteurize water from the water source fordrinking in a single pass.

For use of a generator indoors, for example inside a tent or buildingwhere the electricity, hot air and/or hot water produced by thegenerator would be consumed, the oxidation products of the internalcombustion process including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sometrace organics of the exhaust gasses are of concern. Extended build upof carbon dioxide, which could displace oxygen in air, may causesuffocation. Furthermore, accumulation of carbon monoxide, even in smallamounts, is poisonous to humans and animals. To address this problem, apipe may be connected to the exhaust, for carrying exhaust gasses fromthe generator to an outdoor location. The pipe may be of any lengthsufficient to extend from the generator to an outdoor location, throughan opening in a tent, or through a window or door, or another smallopening, of a building or structure. For example, the pipe may be 5, 10,20, 50 or 100 feet long. The pipe may be made of plastic, rubber, oreven metal. Preferably, the pipe is flexible and/or elastic, such assilicone rubber. Preferably, the pipe has a wall thickness of at least ⅛of an inch, such as ¼ to 1 inch, including ⅜, ½, ⅝, ¾, and ⅞ of an inch.Additional foam or padding may cover the pipe, to further reduce noisefrom the generator. Furthermore, a water condenser or heat exchanger maybe located between the generator and the pipe, or may be attached to theend of the pipe away from the generator. The end of the pipe away fromthe generator may be placed underground or into a body of water (such asa lake, river or stream) to further dampen noise and reducing the amountof heat released with the exhaust gasses.

Additional features may be included to minimize the risk of poisoningdue to carbon monoxide. For example, a catalytic converter may beincluded, located between the generator and the pipe, or may be attachedto the end of the pipe away from the generator. The catalytic convertermay catalyze the reaction of carbon monoxide and/or trace organics, withoxygen to produce carbon dioxide, reducing the total amount of carbonmonoxide produced.

A carbon monoxide sensor may also be included with the generator, fordetecting the level of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide near thegenerator. The detector may set off an alarm when the level of carbonmonoxide approaches, or reaches, a dangerous concentration. In additionto an alarm, or instead of an alarm, the carbon monoxide detector may beconnected to the generator and cause the generator to turn off when thelevel of carbon monoxide approaches, or reaches, a dangerousconcentration. Additionally, a ventilation fan, optionally connected tothe carbon monoxide sensor, may also be included to provide additionalventilation and help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The ventilationfan may be operated from electricity produced by the generator.

During remote field location operations, it may be desirable ornecessary to operate the generator outdoors. In order to protect thegenerator from damage from rain, a cover or sleeve may be placed over oraround the generator. A cover may be as simple as a small umbrella witha self-supporting stand, protecting the generator from rain.Alternatively, or in addition, the electronics of the generator may besealed with a polymeric material, such as silicone rubber or expandedpoly(perfluoroethylene) (also known as Teflon®), to prevent water fromentering the generator. In addition the sealing material may alsoprovide a sound dampening function.

During operation, the generator may become hot. A heat shield, such asinsulation or a heat reflective coating, may cover or surround thegenerator, keeping the heat inside the device and expelling additionalheat through the exhaust gasses. A water cooled cover may also be usedto remove heat from the generator. When used with an insulated pipe, theheat may be expelled with the exhaust gasses far away from the generatoritself. The insulation or heat shield may also serve to further dampennoise created by the generator during operation. A noise cancellationdevice, which measures the sound created by the generator and thenbroadcasts sound which will cancel the sound created by the generator,may also be included. Such a noise cancellation device may be powered byelectricity produced by the generator.

In order to avoid wasting fuel, the generator should be turned off oncethe task, such as recharging batteries, has been completed. However,having a person monitor the generator and the task can be inconvenient.A timer may be attached to the generator, which is connected to thegenerator and turns the generator off, after a preset amount of time haspassed. The timer may have various settings for specific amounts oftime, and/or settings labeled for specific tasks, such as rechargingbatteries; the task specific settings maintain operation of thegenerator for a predetermined amount of time necessary to complete thetask. Alternatively, an amount of liquid fuel just sufficient to operatethe generator for a length of time necessary to complete the task may beplaced into the fuel tank of the generator, causing the generator tostop when the fuel is consumed, which would correspond to the amount oftime necessary to complete the task. For example, a unit measure offuel, such as 500 ml of rubbing alcohol, will cause a generator to runfor the correct amount of time to recharge a set of lithium ionbatteries. Lastly, the fuel tank of the generator could be sized at thevolume necessary for a specific task, such as recharging batteries, forexample at 500 ml.

It is known that alcohols, such as methanol and ethanol can be used tooperate an internal combustion engine. However, small commercialportable generators built for using gasoline or propane as fuel,particularly those which include a carburetor and a choke, do not runproperly using alcohols as fuels. The internal combustion engine willbegin running with the choke closed using alcohols as fuels, but once itbegins to heat up and the choke is opened, the engine will stall or runvery inefficiently—the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine willbe far lower than it would run using gasoline or propane.

Surprisingly, placing the choke into an intermediate position, betweenopen and closed, will allow the engine to run efficiently usingalcohols, as well as other fuels. It was unexpectedly discovered thatallowing less air into the carburetor than when using gasoline orpropane as fuel will provide efficient running of the engine onnon-gasoline and non-propane fuels. It can be determined exactly whichposition the choke should be placed, by gradually moving the choke fromclosed to open after starting the engine; the correct position isdetermined by maximizing the RPM of the engine while moving the choke,either by observing the RPM of the engine directly with a tachometer, orby listening to the speed of the engine. In this way, fuels, such asalcohol, may be used to efficiently operate a gasoline or propanegenerator.

Similarly, small commercial portable generators built for using gasolineor propane as fuel, particularly those which include a carburetor and achoke, do not run properly using diesel fuel. Surprisingly, it has beendiscovered that if the generator is started using a gaseous feed fuelsuch as propane, for example, then the fuel feed may be switched toliquid diesel fuel when the engine has heated up to a temperature ofabout 100 to 125° C. At a temperature of about 100 to 125° C. the dieselfuel is easily vaporized; such temperatures may be quickly attained bylimiting the cooling of the engine.

A fuel selector, including settings for different fuels, may be presenton the generator. The fuel selector adjusts the generator, such asadjusting the amount of air mixed with fuel via a choke to optimallyoperate with the fuel selected, or start or stop a fuel pump whenswitching between fuels. Different fuels include liquid fuels, such asgasoline; diesel fuel; alcohols including methanol, ethanol andpropanol, for example 70% or 91% isopropanol and water,isopropanol/ethanol mixtures, ethanol with a denaturing agent, including95% ethanol and water with a denaturing agent; aldehydes and ketones,such as acetone, which may also be present as mixtures with water and/oralcohols; and mixtures of liquid fuels; and gaseous fuel includinghydrogen, syngas, biogas, methane (such as natural gas), ethane,propane, butane and mixtures thereof.

A particularly preferred liquid fuel is rubbing alcohol, which includesboth 91% and 70% isopropanol and water, isopropanol/ethanol/watermixtures, ethanol with a denaturing agent, including 95% ethanol andwater with a denaturing agent. Rubbing alcohol is prepackaged intobottles, referred to as unit measures, typically having a volume of 1pint, 1 quart, 500 ml, or 1000 ml. Rubbing alcohol is a medical productused to sterilize and clean medical equipment and as an antiseptic onthe skin surface for disinfecting minor cuts and abrasions.Surprisingly, both 91% and 70% isopropanol and water is useful as a fuelin an internal combustion engine, in spite of the high water content.Furthermore, it is a very safe fuel: even when ignited in free liquidform, the combustion temperature is low enough that it rarely causesdamage to skin and is readily extinguished with and soluble with water.Rubbing alcohol is generally included in medical supplies for remotefield location operations, thus avoiding an increase in the logisticalburden when used as a fuel for a generator. Other liquid fuels, such asmethanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and butanol, may also be packed as unitmeasures of fuel, such as a bottle having a volume of 1 pint, 1 quart,500 ml, or 1000 ml.

A bottle adaptor, adapted to receive a bottle having a volume of 1 pint,1 quart, 500 ml, or 1000 ml, may be attached to the fuel port of thegenerator. The bottle adaptor may be, for example, a wide-mouth funnel,with an opening large enough to fit the bottle opening, and sides with agreater width than the width of the bottle and extending more than halfthe length of the bottle. With such an adapter, a bottle of rubbingalcohol may be opened and placed into the adaptor, so that all theliquid will drain into the fuel tank of the generator.

In the case of gaseous fuel, the fuel inlet may be connected to a hotswap. A hot swap is an adapter which allows a new gas tank containingfuel to be attached to the generator before a current gas tank isdisconnected. In this way, the generator will continue to operate whengas tanks are changed, and the fuel supply will not be interrupted.

FIG. 2 illustrates a remote field generator including aspects of thepresent invention. An internal combustion generator 10 includes watercondenser 20 attached to the exhaust outlet 30, and a pipe 22 connectedto an outlet of the condenser for directing the exhaust gasses 28 awayfrom the generator. A timer 24 may be set by a user to a variety ofsetting, which variably controls the amount of time of operation of thegenerator. A fuel selector 26 may be set to different settingspre-calibrated for optimizing the operation of the generator fordifferent fuels. A fuel inlet 14 includes a bottle adapter 16 forholding a bottle 18 and dispensing the contents of the bottle into thefuel tank of the generator. Also illustrated is a handle 12 for carrythe generator by hand.

FIG. 3 illustrates a remote field generator including aspects of thepresent invention. An internal combustion generator 40 includes a heatexchanger 42 connect to the exhaust gas exit of the internal combustiongenerator. The heat exchanger uses water as a coolant, which iscirculated through hosing 44 by a water pump 46 into, and out of, a tank48. Also illustrated is a hot swap 50 including two gas tanks 52connected via a gas line 56, which allows one of the gas tanks to beexchanged without interrupting the flow of gaseous fuel (such aspropane) to the generator during operation. The illustration includes aload 54, such as flood lights, which may be operated by the electricitygenerated by the remote field generator. FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 3,except a mobile phone 60 including a lithium ion battery is electricallyconnected to the generator, for recharging the lithium ion battery, anda carbon monoxide detector 62 is present on the generator. FIG. 5 is thesame as FIG. 3, except a ventilation fan 64 is electrically connected tothe generator, and a cover 66 is present over the generator, protectingit from rain.

When the remote field generator is operated using unit measures ofrubbing alcohol, optionally together with a pipe, a carbon monoxidedetector, a water condenser which acts as a heat exchanger for heatingwater circulated by a water pump from a water tank, dramatic logisticaladvantages are obtained. In particular, no special fuel is needed to runthe generator, and rather than water only rubbing alcohol need betransported. Hot water for bathing is produced as well as drinking waterwhen optional components are included. Noise levels are reduced whenoptional components are included, by both the water condenser and thepipe, and any dangerous exhaust gasses are vented away from thegenerator. The optional carbon monoxide detector also provides anadditional layer of safety against indoor accumulation of exhaustgasses. All together, recharging of batteries, and/or the operation ofsmall electronic device is provided for, in an efficient manner, withthe transportation of a remote field generator; no significantlogistical burden is created because rather than transport water,rubbing alcohol which is already available in unit measures may betransported to run the generator and will convert into a similar amountof potable water. Extra benefits also include the generation of heat orhot water for cooking, bathing or drinking.

What is claimed is: 1-57. (canceled)
 58. A method of generatingelectricity with a gasoline or propane generator having a choke,comprising operating the generator with a fuel consisting essentially ofan alcohol.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the choke is placedbetween the open and closed position.
 60. The method of claim 58,wherein the fuel further comprises water.
 61. The method of claim 58,wherein the fuel comprises isopropanol and water.
 62. The method ofclaim 59, further comprising adjusting the position of the choke untilthe revolutions per minute of an internal combustion engine within thegenerator are maximized.
 63. The method of claim 58, wherein the fuelcomprises at most 10% gasoline.
 64. The method of claim 58, wherein thefuel does not comprise gasoline.
 65. (canceled)
 66. A gasoline orpropane generator having an internal combustion engine, an exhaust gasoutlet, a carburetor, and a manual choke, wherein the improvementcomprises: a fuel selector, connected to the internal combustion engine,for starting or stopping a fuel pump when switching between fuels. 67.The gasoline or propane generator of claim 66, further comprising aflexible pipe, connected to the exhaust gas outlet, wherein the pipe hasa length of at least 5 feet.
 68. A generator system, comprising: (i) aninternal combustion engine, (ii) an exhaust gas outlet, connected to theinternal combustion engine, for venting exhaust gasses, and (iii) a fuelselector, connected to the internal combustion engine, for adjusting theinternal combustion engine to operate more efficiently on at leastrubbing alcohol and propane gas, wherein the internal combustion enginedoes not include a fuel injector.
 69. The generator system of claim 68,wherein the internal combustion engine includes a carburetor.
 70. Thegenerator system of claim 68, further comprising: (iv) a condenser,connected to the exhaust gas outlet, for condensing water from exhaustgasses, (v) a water tank, (vi) a water pump, and (vii) hosing, fluidlyconnecting the condenser, the water tank and the water pump.
 71. Thegenerator system of claim 68, further comprising: (viii) a flexiblepipe, connected to the exhaust gas outlet, for directing the exhaustgasses, (ix) a carbon monoxide sensor, attached to internal combustionengine, and (x) a catalytic converter, for reducing carbon monoxidepresent in exhaust gasses, connected to the exhaust gas outlet, whereinthe pipe has a length of at least 5 feet.
 72. The generator system ofclaim 68, further comprising: (xi) a ventilation fan, electricallyconnected to the internal combustion engine.
 73. The generator system ofclaim 68, further comprising: (xii) a cover, covering the internalcombustion engine.
 74. The generator system of claim 68, furthercomprising: (xiii) a bottle adaptor, connected to the internalcombustion engine, for holding and dispensing a bottle containing a unitmeasure of liquid fuel.
 75. The generator system of claim 68, furthercomprising: (xiv) a hot swap, connected to the internal combustionengine, for removing and connecting a container of gaseous fuel withoutinterrupting flow of a gaseous fuel.
 76. The generator system of claim68, further comprising: (xv) a timer, connected to the internalcombustion engine, for selecting an amount of time for operation of theinternal combustion engine.
 77. The generator system of claim 68,wherein the pipe has a length of at least 20 feet.
 78. The generatorsystem of claim 71, wherein the carbon monoxide sensor is configured tostop the internal combustion engine upon detection of carbon monoxide.